Time is Running Out! ~ by Ronnie Archer & Mary Ann Allen

We have heard these words for so long and we hear them so often. We hear them again today and we might tend to take them for granted.

Today's readings indicate that time is running out. The Kingdom is at hand and we are told to repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The first reading today replaces the first reading designated for this Sunday in Ordinary Time because we are celebrating the conversion of St. Paul. This reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us the remarkable story of St. Paul's encounter with the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus; and what occurred afterwards to this man who had spent so much time and energy hunting down Christians and putting them into prison. It was a life-changing experience.

In the second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that "the time is running out, and that the world, as they know it, is passing away."

Paul means that their behavior should reflect the fact that all of their earthly "gifts" come from God, and distractions, whatever they are, should not be allowed to consume their lives.

God is our creator. He is a God of love. Therefore, our supreme devotion, attention and love for Him should be foremost - above all else.

In this world, there are so many desires OF the world... Love, marriage, family, possessions... Then there are the distractions in our daily lives that sometimes bring us sorrow; that we need to evaluate our priorities.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus, in passing by the Sea of Galilee, seeing the two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew fishing, called to them to come after Him. Later, while walking, He saw James and his brother, John. He invited them all to "come follow Him and He would make them fishers of men." They left everything, trusting in Jesus and followed Him.

Are we willing to leave our everyday lives and follow Jesus?

Others should be able to see the joy of Jesus Christ in us daily; in the way we behave, speak and give witness to God working in our everyday lives. Then we will be "fishers of people."

Time IS running out. We must evaluate everything in our own lives, repent and be about the work of God.

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Parish History and Mission Statement

M.A. Allen read us the history of the parish from its beginning to the present date.

The land was donated by Fritz Sitterding and the cornerstone put in place in 1925. The church was designed by William Rhodes, a parishioner at that time. The St. Elizabeth window was donated by Joseph Heye. On Christmas Day 1925, the first Mass was celebrated in the church by our first pastor, Rev. Louis A. Rowen.

For more on the history of the parish, see the St. Elizabeth website here and click on Parish History.

Barbara Vaughan told us about the joint Pastoral Council/Finance/Committee Retreat that was held the weekend of January 10-11, 2009 at the old St. Francis/St. Emma Academy in Powhatan.

The main goal was to evaluate the parish and to prepare a new Mission Statement for the parish. They did a wonderful job and copies of the statement were passed out to parishioners and it was read together.